Rutendo Nyeve and Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Writers
DOMESTIC and foreign exhibitors have expressed strong optimism for clinching lucrative deals and expanding markets from intense engagements at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), which kicked off in Bulawayo yesterday with participants showcasing high-quality products and services.
This year’s exhibition is bigger and better, judged by the overwhelming demand for space and extended exhibition area — running under the theme: “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” with 31 countries and over 700 exhibitors participating.
ZITF Company board chairman, Dr Busisa Moyo, has confirmed the swelling exhibitor numbers for the 66th edition that runs until Saturday at the Zimbabwe Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES).
“We have a total of 775 exhibitors that are exhibiting this year and a total of 49 foreign exhibitors that are taking part from 31 countries, up from 28 countries last year,” he said yesterday
“I will encourage delegates to please traverse and enjoy, consume, see as much of what you can of ZITF because we have much to show and as well as the private sector.”
Dr Moyo said this year’s theme, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” was in sync with the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and there was a need to enable trade and recognise Zimbabwe as part of a wide network of other economies.
“In this regard, at ZITF, we hope to foster borderless regional market trades or trade across regional markets to take advantage of an integrated supply chain and international niche products that we produce in Zimbabwe to connect to markets, to connect to suppliers of technology that could improve what we do in Zimbabwe,” he added.
The multi-sectoral platform has drawn a diverse array of participants from across the globe, all eager to leverage the unique networking and business development opportunities at home, across Africa and beyond.
Among the foreign exhibitors, Mr Andrei Kleinov from BiSON Agro Machinery, a Belarusian company, spoke on the strategic importance of the fair.
“Our company is the service centre for Belarusian equipment that comes to Zimbabwe. This year, the same as many years before, we are again exhibiting at ZITF,” he said.
“We are showcasing our tractors — bigger tractors, smaller tractors, including a mini tractor – as well as implements.”
Mr Kleinov highlighted the company’s deep integration into the local agricultural landscape.
“Actually, at the ZITF, you may find those Belarusian placards at many places, not only at our stand. Once again, we are exhibiting to show our presence in Zimbabwe, to show the success of the agricultural mechanisation programme of Zimbabwe and to show our commitment to government programmes,” he said.
Ms Pylia Chembe, Communications Officer at the Climate Resilient Livelihoods project, said her organisation was primarily focused on learning.
“For us as a project, we are climate resilient, a livelihoods project operating in southern Zimbabwe, in rural southern Zimbabwe. Our expectations from this one week are mainly to learn from other similar projects, exchanging knowledge, learning from each other, so that maybe we take their best practices and also implement them,” she said.
“We hope to interact with farmers, even those who are not from southern Zimbabwe, so that some of our beneficiaries who are here can also learn from them and see what they can do differently.”
The international appeal of the trade show was further underscored by the presence of the Indonesian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Arief Hidayat.“The Indonesian embassy is participating in ZITF 2026. This is not the first time, but what we can see is that ZITF is a very good platform for Indonesia to promote our products and services,” he said.
Ambassador Hidayat elaborated on the range of offerings, from traditional clothes to food and beverages, and noted the promotion of scholarships and tourism.
“ZITF is a very good platform. This is one of the biggest in Zimbabwe, and I heard that foreigners also come from neighbouring countries. This is a very good opportunity. Zimbabwe, as a hub, is a hub for Indonesian products in southern Africa,” he said, expressing appreciation for Zimbabwe’s Open for Business” policy.
Local smallholder farmers also expressed immense hope.
Mrs Josephine Gwaku, a farmer from Lusulu in Binga who is exhibiting her crops, said she expects to learn more about farming and grow into agribusiness.
Meanwhile, Mr Christopher Lunga, a poultry farmer also from Binga, who is exhibiting a wide range of poultry products, said ZITF provides a lucrative market for his enterprise.
The expo enters day two today with a Youth in Business Conference, Buyers Speed Networking session and the traditional ZITF 2026 Welcome Cocktail, to be hosted in partnership with the British Embassy in Zimbabwe.
The flagship ZITF International Business Conference — one of the fair’s premier events — is scheduled for Wednesday and will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and investors to deliberate on economic trends and investment opportunities. The ZITF Diplomats Forum, also set for Wednesday evening, will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The official opening ceremony will be held on Thursday at the Main Arena and is expected to attract high-level dignitaries, including Government officials, business leaders and international guests. Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko is expected to officially open the event and will, as tradition dictates, tour selected pavilions.
Friday’s programme includes the Connect Africa Symposium in Hall 2 with the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) as the technical lead partner.
The Guest of Honour will be Vice President Kembo Mohadi, with a total of 250 delegates expected to attend. There will be the Zimbabwe-Botswana Business Forum, to be held in partnership with ZimTrade at Holiday Inn, the ZITF
Charity Golf Challenge at Bulawayo Country Club and the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dinner in the evening.
Ends CKD PN//…
